The WHL’s Cami Kepke examines the Red Wings’ pool of 4 prospects drafted from the CHL’S Western Hockey League today:
Carter Bear
After a season that ended with injury and heartbreak, Carter Bear clawed his way to the top of the WHL mountain. The 2025 13th-overall pick iced 36 goals (including seven game-winners and three hat tricks) and earned a berth on Team Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he was part of a bronze medal-winning effort. Bear finished second on the Silvertips in goals and ninth among all WHLers in points-per-game before taking off for 22 points (7G-15A) in 18 playoff games. The 6-foot, 177-pound winger from West St. Paul, Man., helped the Silvertips clinch the Ed Chynoweth Cup for the first time in franchise history and, with Captain Tarin Smith injured, was the first Tips skater to lift the WHL’s top prize. Bear, 19, was named to the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team and is expected to turn pro with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins next season. Not bad for a guy who was selected in the sixth round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft!
Ondřej Becher
Six-foot-1, 187-pound centreman Ondrej Becher improved his offensive output while shoring up his 200-foot game in his sophomore professional season. The Ostrava, Cze. product netted 28 points (9G-19A) in 60 games, in addition to logging 42 penalty minutes and a +5 rating. Originally selected with the 80th overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft, Becher spent two seasons with the Prince George Cougars, where he established himself as an offensive whiz. He put up 48 goals and 86 assists for 134 points in 121 games before signing a three-year, entry-level contract in December of 2024.
JP Hurlbert
The Texas Tornado made a statement with a hat trick in his WHL debut for the Kamloops Blazers and never looked back. Hurlbert registered 42 goals and 55 assists for 97 points in 68 games to finish fourth in WHL scoring and first in points among all first-year players. The 6-foot, 182-pound winger locked up WHL Rookie of the Year honours, while being named a Western Conference finalist for WHL Player of the Year. Hurlbert scored once at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge and added a goal and an assist at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game before being called with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Allen, Texas product is currently making his case to represent the United States at the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship as he participates in the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase.
Michal Orsulak
Tremosna, Cze.’s Michal Orsulak continued a long tradition of dominant goaltending in Hockeytown North in his rookie WHL campaign. The 18-year-old went 28-4-3-1 with a 2.22 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage and four shutouts to help the Prince Albert Raiders to a 52-win season. Orsulak led all qualified WHL netminders in GAA, tied for second in shutouts and ranked fifth in save percentage and wins. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound puckstopper was named an Eastern Conference First-Team All-Star and a finalist for WHL Goaltender of the Year before backstopping the Raiders to the 2026 WHL Championship Series, where they fell to Bear and the Silvertips. Detroit picked up Orsulak with the 79th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
